Pearl and Mother of Pearl – You are God’s Magnum Opus

Pearl formation is a mysterious process, and despite our scientific advances we’ve yet to create one outside the “womb” of an oyster.* Reflecting on this and our relationship with God (with the hope of not sounding blasphemous on one side, or religious on the other) here are some thoughts:

On the surface, God, like the Oyster, may seem Hard: rigid rules, drastic consequences… a distant and frightening God. But cut the oyster open and you discover something Soft—God’s Heart is more tender than we dared to dream…

Jesus broke all molds when he revealed God as meek, compassionate, even humble. He kneeled before men to wash dirty feet and we were perplexed. He explained he only does what he sees the Father do…

Does God wash our feet? Look at a mother bathing her child. Watch as she cares for him, sets aside sleep and other physical needs for him. Self-sacrifice for the sake of Love…another God Glimpse.

And then the Grain of Sand….We, sons and daughters from the dust of the earth–lodge into the Oyster causing irritation in the soft tissue. Is it not those closest to us that have power to hurt us the most? God says we are His Divine Offspring (o.a., Acts 17:28-29) and what parent wants to see their children hurt one another? Not even with mean words or looks.

I never experienced such joy, but also grief and anger off the charts, before I became a parent…

So then the Hard surface….

Jesus said all the “hard” stuff, or Laws, was summed up in this: Love. If I love you I won’t kill you, steal from you, lie to you, or even want what you have…. and Jesus kicked this up a notch when he said even thinking about this stuff is like doing it.

Even “you will have no gods before Me”…Love wants you totally free, because the alternative is some kind of enslavement that can make you do things not good for you or those around you (just ask anyone who’s encountered any kind of addiction)…

But the Oyster does not (r)eject the grain of sand. My kids can break my stuff, break the bank, break my heart, but I’ll never break my bond with them. I want the best for them, but I will not force them into some mold. As well, God does not exert His Own Will (real Love doesn’t insist on it’s own way, 1 Corinthians 13:5). Instead God works WITH us, washing over us with Love, layer by layer, until we are transformed.

It’s dark inside the oyster–struggles, uncertainties and the waiting can be unbearable. But we have a hope that everything is working out to good, ultimately, in the End. The lowly becomes glorious. Mess-ups become Masterpieces.

Something beautiful–however hidden– is taking place, and one Day the Oyster will reveal Her Magnum Opus.

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us...” (Apostle Paul of Tarsus)

*Note from original Hebrew text via Blueletterbible.org: One of the two words used for “Womb” is (transliteration) Rechem, which has a root word of (transliteration) Racham, which means: love, mercy, compassion, affection… !

“Can a woman forget her nursing child,
And not have compassion on the son of her womb?
Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you.
See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;
Your walls are continually before Me.” (Isaiah 49:15,16)

Here’s a song from Elevation Worship to bless you, “All things New.” …we are free…
Want to read more about your Freedom? Check this.
For greater insights into God’s Heart, check the #WildKidsWildGod – 31 Days looking into God’s Heart series.

Jasmine,
That verse from Romans 8 by Paul always gets me because Paul suffered much, from being imprisoned to being beaten etc. and yet he saw the greater glory of heaven and eternity…So grateful for God’s loving patience with me…blessings to you 🙂

Thanks so much for stopping by and your comment, Dolly. Indeed, I was reading about Paul in Acts this morning…where the Spirit keeps warning him of what’s to come when he goes to Jerusalem…almost like (and maybe it is) that God was offering him the choice out…but Paul, true to who he was-zealous for God from the start–was determined to go till the End. What a beautiful testimony and encouragement for any of us under any fire…especially when we are suffering for stepping out in some of God’s Crazy Love ways…
Blessings and love from Holland